which UK (+Ireland) only field guide for beginner? (1 Viewer)

Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Dec 12, 2018

• #1

Need to get a field guide for a beginner. Anything covering more than just the British Isles (or whatever you want to call them) would be too overwhelming. I'm totally out of touch with what's currently available, and don't have time to look at them before Christmas. Must be illustrations not photos.

Any help greatly appreciated, providing it's not:
a) advice on Field Guides covering a larger area, eg Europe
b) advice on the correct name for the bits of land I do want the field guide to cover

cheers,

Larry

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Dec 13, 2018

• #2

The only one I immediately recall that fits all your criteria, is this by Mark Golley.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Guid...&sr=1-5&keywords=birds+of+britain+and+ireland

All the others include Europe and the only one that doesn't, that I know of, is photographic, below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Britains-B...&sr=1-1&keywords=birds+of+britain+and+ireland

You could find something older matching your needs, from an age when birders probably didn't travel much beyond a day at the East Coast.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Guid...eld+Guide+to+the+Birds+of+Britain+and+Ireland

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Macmillan-...eld+Guide+to+the+Birds+of+Britain+and+Ireland

 

Last edited: Dec 13, 2018

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• Dec 13, 2018

• #3

Used to be a really nice one published by RSPB illustrated by Hilary Burn, but I don't know if there is an up to date edition.

 

Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Dec 13, 2018

• #4

Thanks guys. Might go for the Mark Golley one

 

Mono

Hi!

Staff member

Supporter

• Dec 14, 2018

• #5

The much anticipated and much delayed "cut down Collins" is another possibility. This is a version of the seminal Collins Bird Guide but only covering Britain. Its first planned publication date was back in 2016 but this has slipped and slipped again some sites are now giving a January 2019 date, but that might be as slippery as the previous ones!

 

ovenbird43

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2018

• #6

I have the following book, which covers the UK plus Ireland and offshore islands and is IMO suitable for beginners:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Bi...&qid=1544992924&sr=1-3&keywords=british+birds

ETA: this book has photos instead of illustrations, which I now see that's not what you were looking for.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Dec 18, 2018

• #7

ovenbird43 said:

I have the following book, which covers the UK plus Ireland and offshore islands and is IMO suitable for beginners:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Bi...&qid=1544992924&sr=1-3&keywords=british+birds

ETA: this book has photos instead of illustrations, which I now see that's not what you were looking for.

Click to expand...

It's photographic, the OP specifically said he wanted illustrations, not photographs.

Edit: I see you spotted that.